1 Nephi 1-7
"I Will Go and Do"
Materials: video (see links below), poster print out, maze
Opening Song: "Nephi's Courage" (Children's Songbook, 120)
Opening Prayer:
Scripture: 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
Attention Activity:
Jon thought that school was too hard and he wanted to quit because he didn't know everything right away. Jon's mom told him he could "do hard things" like learning how to tie his shoes. Usually we can't do something right the first time through. We all have things that are hard for us. Sometimes we have a hard time learning a skill like tying our shoes or solving a math problem. Other times we have a hard time breaking habits like swearing or complaining. Today we are going to talk about how we can do hard things.
Lesson:
In The Book of Mormon, Lehi's family was tasked to do several hard things. First, God commanded Lehi to take his family and leave Jerusalem and flee into the wilderness. Then, God wanted them to go back to get the brass plates which had the scriptures written on them. These were hard tasks.
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What was Laman and Lemuel's reaction to having to go and live in the wilderness? What did they complain about? Laman and Lemuel did not want to leave their home and their money. They "murmured" or complained. "And Laman and Samuel, being the eldest, ddi murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of God who had created them." (1 Nephi 2:12) They did not have faith in God. Later, when Lehi told his sons God wanted them to retrieve the brass plates, they complained again. "And now behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which i have retired of them; but behold i have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord."
How was Nephi's reaction different from Laman and Lemuel's? (1 Nephi 3:7) Nephi boldly said he would go and do because he knew the Lord would always provide a way for him to obey his commandments.
We each have been asked to keep the commandments of God, even though it can be hard sometimes. We each have things in our lives that are challenging and may take some time and practice to accomplish. Nephi and his brother's did not obtain the plates on their first try. Nephi had to be persistent and try again.
So how can we do hard things? First, We need faith. Like Nephi, we need faith in the Lord and in his plan for us. Second, we need to ask the Lord for help. Nephi was succesful in his quest after he asked the Lord for help. Saying a sincere prayer will go a long way in overcoming a challenge we are facing. Third, we need a positive attitude. We may not be certain how we will accomplish or task but we need to believe that it is possible. We should try not to complain. We don't want to be like Laman and Lemuel constantly murmuring against God and against our parents. Fourth, we need to work at it. That is, we need to "go and do". We need to practice. "Thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 31:16).
Show the following video: "Go and Do" 2020 Youth Theme by David Archuletta
Elaine S. Dalton said, "I can do hard things... In the strength of the Lord I can do all things." As we are asked to do hard things by the Lord, as we face the challenges and strife of this mortal life, the Lord will help us accomplish what He wants us to do just like He helped Nephi obtain the brass plates.
Activity:
Nephi and the brass plates Maze found on churchofjesuschrist.org
Closing Song: "I Will Be Valiant" (Children's Songbook, 182)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:
Yogurt Berry Bark recipe here
Activity:
Nephi and the brass plates Maze found on churchofjesuschrist.org
Closing Song: "I Will Be Valiant" (Children's Songbook, 182)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:
Yogurt Berry Bark recipe here
